I sold my 81 924 right before I came to college, and now that it's gone I miss it's simplicity and the good times I had. I am looking to get into a 944 maybe and have seen an 88 with 61k for 2500... it's in Janesville Wisconsin and I want to know you guys thoughts. I know all about 924's but nothing much about 944...

What to look for?
What to stay away from?
Common issues/symptoms?
Is this a good buy?

It was also out of tune, and I never got it corrected.... it actually didn't want to start for a showing one time, even though I had driven it without problem all that week. Every day. But he still bought it. And now I kinda want another one_________________1981 924 - Alpine White
First car!
Fresh tune up, stage 3 racing clutch, stock otherwise, 5 speed trans. - SOLD

If the 944 you're talking about is the one on janesville craigslist for $2200, I would pass and here's why:

1) Exterior. Lopsided porsche decal and barcode racing stripe. It looks trashy. Good luck removing it without damaging the paint. Hopefully they didn't clear over it. Note that the stripes go right over the 944 badge on the rear of the car The paint also appears to have peeling clear coat, so it needs a repaint anyway.

2) No mention of a timing belt/water pump/balance belt/roller/front engine seal replacement. That's a MAJOR cost in operating these cars. If it's been over 2 years (likely) OR over 30k mikes (unlikely) since the belts were changed and the front of engine service was done, set aside around $1500 or maybe even a little bit more to have it done by a shop. Unless you want to tackle it yourself, which requires special tools, about a day of labor, and at least $600 in parts. Neglecting a timing belt service interval on an interference engine can grenade an engine in short order. If you buy a car that hasn't had a recent service, don't start the engine until you at the very least swap the timing belt for a new one.

3) Interior. I'm not a huge fan of the later interiors. Even if it is your cup of tea, this one appears to be in fairly bad shape. Note the ill fitting seat covers and gaudy steering wheel cover. You're going to want to look under both of those items before you pass over any money. A cheap set of vinyl seat covers will run you at least $300 if you recover them yourself. Leather will cost quite a bit more. It's true that most 944s have torn seats and cracked dashes at this point, but its usually only the really bad ones taht get the auto parts store generic covers.

4) Engine modifications. Note that they changed out the air filter to a cone filter, but the stock 2 stage throttle cam is still on there. It seems to me that the previous owner was more worried about the sound of the car than the performance. The cam is the cheapest upgrade you can do. Not only do cone filters not filter as well, they also hurt performance by sucking hot air from the engine bay.

For $2500, you can buy a 944 in much better shape that has had recent service. Look for an unmolested car with a service history and clean interior. $2500 should buy a car with some cosmetic flaws that's being used as a daily commuter.

If you're really set on a 944, do yourself a favor and spend a bit more to get a sorted one. You'll easily sink the purchase price into this car again just to get it up to the task of daily driving. 944s don't share as many parts with VW as 924s and maintenance items tend to me much more involved._________________1980 924 NA, US model
1987 924S, US model

There's all of 1 924 near where I live. I know the guy who owns it. And it's a really rough 77.... stripped interior, custom dash, was used for mudding... I know right?
This is what I have to deal with in wisconsin:
Craigslist Ad
https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/d/porsche-924-runs-and-drives/6393360136.html_________________1981 924 - Alpine White
First car!
Fresh tune up, stage 3 racing clutch, stock otherwise, 5 speed trans. - SOLD

I consider the 924 as the 2L 5 speed, 125hp car sold in Europe..not the crazy detuned pos sold in the US or Canada.

Hey !!

Don't lump us in with the Lib-Tards from the 'great' State of Kalifornia that mess up the car market for the ENTIRE CONTINENT with their emissions and safety crap. I still can't figure out why the other 49 States haven't voted to kick those hippie dip-s**ts out of the Union so we can return to a time of uncommonly good common sense and we can have nice cars again.

well, you need new bushings anyway, new shocks and brakes, might as well buy new wheels as you need new tires.
then you can get a set of pistons from europe, ignition module and dizzy and a cam and you're almost there.
lighten the flywheel as you probably need a new clutch as well and you've got yourself a nice euro spec + 924.
Also, you can go to megasquirt or vems but those will cost a bit.
I heard that there is some guy who just bolted on some VW 90s EFI and it works just fine._________________red 924 and not red 924